Review: Golden Rule, Irondale, AL

by julie on July 30, 2008

Because we’re talking so much about barbecue, here are a few pictures of The Golden Rule in Irondale, Alabama. I took these back in December, before I started the blog (but while it was definitely jostling in the back of my mind).

That is their pit. I told the Pitmaster, who has been doing his thing for 30 years, that I was from out of town and wrote a food blog, and he said I could even poke the pork butts with a giant fork. I declined. Maybe next time.

Extra pork plate, sliced, half and half. This means that it is essentially a double order of pork (see the plate on the right? Yeah.), sliced and not chopped, half from the inside (tender and delicious) and the outside (a little burnt and delicious). The fries and the coleslaw? The fries are awesome, crispy and skin-on. The coleslaw is vinegar-based, but not “hot slaw” as I know it.

In about a two-month span, I went to the top of the Eiffel Tower, the top of the Empire State Building, and visited the World’s Largest Office Chair in Anniston, AL. I’m sure you can guess which was the most impressive.

What’s your favorite non-local barbecue place?

TJ Jackson

You folks ever heard of this lil ole place down in Alabama called “Dreamland”?
The Boyfriend

TJ–Dreamland is nothing shy of legendary in Alabama. Fantastic ribs. Locals line up out the door.

I ate there once, about twenty years ago. When I lived there, I didn’t have easy access to Dreamland. Its original location is south of Tuscaloosa, on the western side of the state. I’m from East Alabama, a good two-and-a-half hour drive from home.

I believe they just expanded their menu. For a long time, they didn’t serve anything but ribs…and slices of white bread.
Anonymous

I’m salivating. The Golden Rule is just one of many great Alabama barbeque joints. I lived in Crestwood, only a few miles from the Irondale location for about 10 years and I’ve always enjoyed their version of Q. Props must go out to Costa’s (on Findley Ave), Demetri’s (in Homewood), The Top Hat (in Garden City), Pat James’ Full Moon (any location), and the one-of-a-kind Carlisle’s (on Southside).
Jeff

Funny how memories work. I have a lot of great ones of Ollies in Birmingham. Even though, 20 years later I’ve had a LOT of better bbq, I still think about the big bright indoor space with a pig roasting in the back, and waitresses that had worked there since like the 1840s. MMMM.

Funny, it’s the chocolate pie that I can still taste
breanna bouhana

I worked at the Golden Rule in Trussville Alabama and I must say they have the very best turkey sandwich you’ll ever eat.
Gobamagopc

great food and great waitresses — jeanette and karen.